Clay Day

My demo

A few weekends ago I had a really nice afternoon hanging out with Humna and some of her closest friends. We had a beautiful lunch, followed by some fun with clay. I gave a quick demo and then everyone had a go. Mandi Whitten captured the day on camera. I thought I would share some of her photos with you...

Guiding Sarah

Love that smile (the joy of pottery)!

Guiding

We've all made one of these at some stage!

Humna's creation.

Nick

Pinch pot

Lots of pinch pots!

The other task for the day was to make as many of these pinch pots as possible for the opening night of Elements. You will have to come along to find out their significance!

Elements Promo Video

It's not long now till the launch of our SALA exhibition 'Elements'! Nick Graalman has put together a promo video to give you a taste of what's been happening and what's to come! You can view the video here on youtube.

The excitement is definitely rising. The exhibition will be in Humna Mustafa's home studio. On the opening night you can expect to see great art (ceramic and video), try some delicious food and wine, watch Humna painting her henna body art, I will be doing some wheel throwing and there will be many surprises too! I so hope you can make it! The details are:

Elements

Dates:
Opening night: 7 August 5-8pm
Open studio days: 13-15 August, 5-9pm
Closing night + artist talks: 21 August, 5-9pm

Venue:
Diya Studio
91 Sydenham Road, Norwood, SA 5067

Artists:
Humna Mustafa, Nick Graalman & Erin Lykos

Opening Speaker:
Annette Tripodi
(Operations and Program Manager, WOMADelaide)

kiln Packed and Ready To Go!

We loaded a combined bisque kiln today in the studio. The bottom was packed tight and the higher we got, the looser it got. I used to love watching Lincoln Kirby-Bell pack a kiln when he was in the studio - it was a work of art.

This is the size kiln I need at home. If you know of any for sale, please let me know!

Shhhh....

Have you ever wondered what's going on in the room next door? Well, I hope none of the staff from the (undisclosed) motel reads this... but this is what I've been doing over the last couple of days...

Father's Day Mug

Wishing he was fishing mug

Father's Day is still a little way off, but I thought I'd get in early (so that people can place personalised orders if they like!). This is a mug I was recently commissioned to do for someone's birthday. If you would like one, contact me directly. I'm planning to make some standard mugs (with no name). I'll let you know once I have them in the shops.

Other side of mug

Fish detail

I can also make other designs, such as with other sports and hobbies - the sky is the limit. Contact me with your ideas!

Photomedia Exhibition

Light Square Gallery's latest exhibition, simply titled 'New Work', features three photographers: Danielle Walpole, Edward James and Jen Brazier. I don't see many photography exhibitions, so it was great to see something new.

Jen Brazier, Menace

Edward James, Black Sky Blue

Danielle Walpole, Reminiscence

My favourite was Danielle's series Reminiscence. I love the way she has captured a moment in time. As I was viewing the images I could almost feel the sun shining on my arm (even in the middle of winter). Beautiful.

I'd love to invest in a good camera and get some lessons!

If you want to catch the show, the details are:

Light Square Gallery
Adelaide College of the Arts, TAFESA
39 Light Square, Adelaide

It runs until 22 July 2010

There's even some comfy seats in the center of the gallery for you to sit!

Farewell Ferro

Ok, no pictures with this one (it would be a sad face). Just a little announcement to any potter/ceramist who hasn't heard yet... Our beloved Ferro has closed down. No more Ferro Frits and no more 271d glaze! What am I going to do??? I called Max at Clayworks today and they are working on a new glaze. I see lots of glaze testing in my future! If anyone has any suggestions for a good, reliable glaze that fits MFQ, please let me know!

And the Winner is...

Friday night was the opening of the 2010 South Australian Ceramics Award, which was judged by Gerry Wedd this year. The Award started back in 1986 and this is the ninth award since it began. The winning artist receives a prize of $2000 and the South Australian state gallery also chooses a piece for its collection.

Prue Gramp, Jeff Mincham and Gerry Wedd during the speeches
(ok not a great shot - but I was near the back!)

The show was opened with an interesting speech by Jeff Mincham about the history of the award and where ceramics is today. Then Gerry followed with the announcement of the prize winners. The Award this year went to Helen Fuller for her piece 3 Pot(s).

The winning piece '3 Pot(s)' by Helen Fuller

The state gallery chose a piece by Stephanie James-Manttan (Impressed Vessel) and a group of pieces by Maria Parmenter (Telling Tales). I went through the JamFactory design associateship with both of these talented women, so that was very exciting!

Steph James-Manttan and Maria Parmenter

There was a great turnout and it was a very enjoyable night with beautiful work and a chance to catch up with wonderful potters and artists!
Some of the other ceramists in the show include: Philip Hart, Silvia Stansfield, Leo Neuhofer, Angela Walford, John Ferguson, Jane Sabey, Merrilyn Stock, Jane Robertson, Kirsten Coelho, Gus Clutterbuck, Alison Arnold, Jane Burbidge and me!

Angela Walford with her wall pieces 'Journey'

Oh, I guess I should give you the details (in case you couldn't make it on the opening night):

South Australian Ceramic Award
2-24 July 2010

Adelaide Central Gallery
45 Osmond Terrace, Norwood
Ph: 08) 8364 2809
Open: M-F 9am - 5pm, Sat 11am - 4pm

'A Parliament of Owls' by Merrilyn Stock.

The Parks

Today I had the pleasure of visiting The Parks Community Center's pottery studio. My friend Sunshine GB March is the potter in residence there at the moment. I went in to have a look and to share some decoration tips!

People at the Parks ceramic studio (Sunshine's on the right).

It was my first time at the Parks Centre. It felt like I was walking into a secret little community, which is so close to home, but somehow I never knew about it! How could that be - in little Adelaide? How great is it to have such a facility open to the community! For $6.70 the public can use the studio for 3 hours, which includes firing their work and some guidance by the lovely Sunshine.

If you're interested, check out their website and call the office for more info.

The Pottery Wheels.

Don't forget the South Australian Ceramic Award is opening tomorrow night. (Adelaide Central Gallery, 45 Osmond Terrace, Norwood, 6-8pm). It only happens every 2-3 years. Should be a great night. Everyone is welcome!